Home away from home

By Daniela Sperotto, Project Consultant Candice Bailey, Property Co-ordinator Jay van der Westhuizen, Photography Nic Baleta

Situated on the banks of the Crocodile River, within the prestigious Mjejane Game Reserve, this lodge was designed and created in the true sense of home away from home. Ideal for luxury breakaways, this lavish setting was the perfect location for fractional ownership company, DJ Syndico to build five leisure properties to add to its impressive portfolio.

Creating an attractive alternative for those who understand that owning a holiday home outright brings high capital outlay for underutilisation, and the continual hassle of looking after the property, this fractional ownership development makes having a holiday home simple and easy. “For our investors, the lodge offers a sense of space that goes hand in hand with a holiday and relaxing atmosphere. A visit to the lodge will rejuvenate you, and prepare you for returning to the day-to-day working and stressful environment,” explains Fredere De Jager, director of DJ Syndico.

Offering a lavish setting, filled with all the fittings and finishes for modern-day living, the lodges bring you closer to nature, while offering you all the luxuries that you would expect to find in a suburban house.

From the moment you enter the lodge through the impressive front door, you know you can leave your worries behind and enjoy your time perusing and enjoying the 4 000ha of the Mjejane Game Reserve, as well as the 10km of riverfront. As a unique drawing card, the reserve is conveniently located right on the border of the Kruger National Park. At this particular spot, the fence line has been dropped, allowing you chance to view free-roaming Big Five animals as well as giving you direct access to the Kruger via the low water-bridge, which will be complete in November.

Although quite an incredible setting, having wild game roaming freely did cause quite a few complications during the construction phase. “We encountered many dangerous animals like lions, elephants and buffalos coming near the building site. The building process had to stop until it was safe again,” explains Fredere.

However, by going above and beyond, and overcoming all challenges, the experts involved in this project ensured that the lodges truly exceeded all expectations.

Meticulously created to be spacious, yet at the same time still offering visitors some privacy, each lodge is designed to revolve around pure relaxation and comfort. The open-plan living area, which seamlessly integrates the kitchen, dining room and lounge, cater for easy socialising and entertaining.

In order to maximise the magnificent views at all times, floor-to-ceiling stacking doors were installed and open up onto the spectacular outside wooden decking area.

This area has been fully fitted with a covered dining area, rim-flow pool, jetted spa bath, three hammocks, sundeck loungers and a boma, so that you can enjoy the outdoors and nature in its purest form. For colder winter nights, the underground cellar is perfect for dinners or cosy drinks. With a hardwood table, authentic wine barrels and an excellent wine selection, it makes for an ideal location where you can enjoy a special night.Offering privacy from the entertainment and living areas, all five en-suite bedrooms open up onto their own balconies and provide you with views of the Crocodile River.

With its serene setting and home-away-from-home concept and ambience, the impressive fractional ownership luxury lodges give a new meaning to luxury bush holidays.